Finger-bar latch for mowing-machines



Patented Dec. 6, I898.

J. WOODS. FINGER BAR LATCH FUR MOWING MACHINES:

(Applicationfiled Sept. 16, 1897.)

(N0 Model.)

WK!" I III I I W m m UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN WOODS, OF UNITY, MAINE.

FINGER-BAR LATCH FOR MOWING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 615,334, dated December6, 1898.

Application filed $eptember 16,1897. Serial No. 651,879. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN WOODS, a citizen of the United States, residingat Unity, in the county of Waldo and State of Maine, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Finger-Bar Latches forMowing-Machines and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to latches for holding the finger-bar of amowing-machine in an up right position during the transportation of themachine from the field in which it is used; and the object is to providea latch of this character by means of which the finger-bar may be easilyand quickly fastened in its upright position and as easily detached andswung down into use.

With this object in View the invention consists in certain features ofconstruction and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter fullyset forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of aportion of a mowingmachine, illustrating the application of my inventionthereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the latch andfinger-bar. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a fragment of the finger-bar,showing the bolt-socket therein. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section throughthe latchhook.

In the drawings I have representeda frag ment of a mowing-machine toillustrate the application of my invention; but it is evident that theinvention may be applied to any of the Well-known types ofmowing-machines now in use, and therefore I will have it understood thatI do not wish to restrict my invention in its application to theparticular form of machine shown in the accompanying drawings.

In said drawings, 1 denotes the tongue of a mowing-machine, and 2 thefinger-bar, connected to the tongue in the usual manner. The fin ger-barhas on its upper surface, back of the fingers, an inclined recess 3,that inclines upwardly from an aperture 4 near the rear edge of thefinger-bar.

5 denotes a rod loosely connected to the tongue of the machine andprovided with a screw-threaded end that receives the shank of thelatch-hook 6. This hook is provided with a tubular portion 7, inclosingthe coilspring 8, which exerts its energy to force the latch 9 into therecess of the finger-bar.

By referring to Fig. 3 of the drawings it will be seen that the two jawsa and b of the hook have inclined contiguous faces, so that when thefinger-bar is elevated and engaged between these two faces it will besupported in an inclined direction to enable it to fall to the groundwhen the thumb-piece 10 of the latch is depressed.

When it is desired to move the machine from one field to another or awayfrom the field to the shed or other place of storage, the finger-bar isswung upward and engaged with the hook, which will hold the bar in itsupright position during transportation. The book is quickly attached toand detached from the bar and when in engagement therewith willhold itfirmly in place.

Although I have specifically described the 7 construction and relativearrangement of the several elements of my invention, I do not desire tobe confined to the same, as such changes or modifications may be made asclearly fall within the scope of my invention without departing from thespirit thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is"

In a mowing-machine,the combination with the tongue thereof and afinger-bar, the latter provided with an aperture near its rear edge andwith an inclined recess leading therefrom, of a rod loosely attached tothe tongue and provided with a hook having a spring-latch adapted toenterthe perforation of the finger-bar, the contiguous faces of the jawsof the hook being inclined to support the bar in an inclined positionand thereby enable it to fall to the ground when the hook is releasedtherefrom, one of the jaws of said hook being adapted to enter therecess at the rear of the aperture of the finger-bar, and therebyprevent the twisting of the hook with respect to said bar and steady itin its adjustment thereto, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

JOHN IVOODS. [L( 8.]

Witnesses:

F. E. BROWN, S. S. BROWN.

